BILL NUMBER: ACR 142	CHAPTERED  05/01/00

	RESOLUTION CHAPTER   52
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE   MAY 1, 2000
	ADOPTED IN ASSEMBLY   APRIL 27, 2000
	ADOPTED IN SENATE   APRIL 24, 2000
	AMENDED IN SENATE   APRIL 5, 2000
	AMENDED IN SENATE   MARCH 30, 2000

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Battin

                        MARCH 6, 2000

   Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 142--Relative to child abuse
and neglect.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   ACR 142, Battin.  Child abuse and neglect.
   This measure would acknowledge the month of April 2000, as Child
Abuse Prevention Month and its concomitant "Safe At Home" Campaign as
a positive effort to promote public awareness of child abuse and its
prevention.




   WHEREAS, Child abuse and neglect continue to pose a serious threat
to our nation's children; and
   WHEREAS, In 1996, more than 3,000,000 children were reported to
child protective agencies in the United States as having suffered
abuse and neglect; and
   WHEREAS, It is estimated that for every three dollars spent on
child abuse and neglect, at least six dollars are saved that might be
spent on child welfare services, special education services, medical
care, foster care, counseling, and the housing of juvenile
offenders; and
   WHEREAS, Child abuse and neglect is a community problem and
finding solutions depends on the involvement of people throughout the
community; and
   WHEREAS, The first organized statewide Blue Ribbon Campaign was
originated in Norfolk, Virginia by the grandmother of Bubba
Dickinson, a child who was murdered by his mother's abusive
boyfriend; and
   WHEREAS, In recent years, the National Committee to Prevent Child
Abuse, the California chapter and other local affiliates, United
States military bases, and other groups have organized Blue Ribbon
Campaigns to increase public awareness of child abuse and to promote
ways to prevent child abuse; and
   WHEREAS, The National Committee to Prevent Child Abuse, in all its
forms, has proclaimed April as National Child Abuse Prevention
Month; and
   WHEREAS, Blue ribbons are displayed to increase awareness of child
abuse and as a strategy for Child Abuse Prevention Month; and
   WHEREAS, This year's campaign is entitled "Safe At Home" and is
designed to solicit the involvement of the whole community by
encouraging the formation of partnerships to build a support network
for families and children, in every community; and
   WHEREAS, The flexibility of this program offers numerous
opportunities to be innovative and to create partnerships within
business, professional, and community organizations; and
   WHEREAS, The Assembly  and the Senate encourage the community to
work together for youth-serving prevention programs; now, therefore,
be it
   Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
thereof concurring, That the Legislature does hereby acknowledge the
month of April 2000, as Child Abuse Prevention Month and its
concomitant "Safe At Home" Campaign as a positive effort to promote
public awareness of child abuse and its prevention; and be it further

   Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of
this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
